Plas y Brenin's Climbing Wall

We could have been out Christmas shopping but instead we were treated to rock climbing for beginners, indoors on the wall at Plas y Brenin. Not so much a wall as a cavernous chamber with overhangs and arches. Brendan and his two colleagues kitted us out with climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses; the shoes were a bit tight but that’s all part of the design, for greater grip.

We began with basic bouldering, low down on the wall going crab-like across. Legs are stronger than arms so we were advised to maximise the use of legs as opposed to arms. Arms at full stretch are stronger than arms crunched up so we tried to keep them long. Theory is easy but handholds and toeholds didn’t always present themselves where they needed to be.


After free climbing a low section we roped up, climbed the high bits then belayed down. Bit of an act of faith, to let go of those handholds that had been squeezed so tight on the way up, and lie back at right angles to the wall. The wall with the overhangs proved a bit too challenging for me and I found myself spinning in space, safely held by the rope which we were assured was strong enough to hold a minibus.

A huge thank you to Plas y Brenin for supporting the Snowdonia Society as a business member and laying on this event.  What I hadn’t realised before was that this wonderful climbing wall is open to us locals; I think the charge is just £5.

Dorothea a Trigonos

For our winter social 26 of us were treated to a guided walk around Dorothea slate quarry, a fascinating insight from Dr Gwynfor Pierce Jones. Some members of the group remembered the good old days, when it was possible to abseil a hundred metres to the bottom of the pit before it filled up with water.

From the start, Gwynfor sought to be controversial for fear we might not remember him; no chance of that, but I won’t repeat things for fear of libel. For anyone wanting to know more about Dorothea, the recommended website is penmorfa.com There is of course Gwynfor’s book but make sure you buy the new edition which is becoming available just now.

Back at Trigonos we enjoyed a tasty home cooked lunch; a great venue, with superb views and good company.

In the footsteps of Augustus John – some miraculous promised land

2014 marks the centenary of the death of James Dickson Innes, who along with Augustus John and Derwent Lees produced some of the most dramatic and expressionistic landscape painting of the 20th century. Between 1910 - 1913 these three artists rented a cottage at Nant Ddu, near Llyn Tryweryn to paint landscapes around Arenig and the surrounding moorland, a landscape Augustus John described as 'some miraculous promised land'.

James Dickson Innes - Evening, Sun Setting behind Arenig Fach.
The Tabernacle Collection of MOMA WALES

The walk and talk event that the Snowdonia Society has arranged on 22nd February will visit some of the places that inspired these artists. If the weather is clear and bright there will be a choice of two walks on offer, both of which will begin and end at Nant Ddu. The more challenging walk, which will only take place if the weather is reasonably clear, will follow a route up Arenig via Amnodd Bwll returning via Llyn Arenig and the old railway trackbed. This walk will take approximately 5 hours, involve some steep sections and require a high level of fitness.

The other walk will be much easier and be on fairly level terrain. It will also start at Nant Ddu and visit Llyn Tryweryn and Blaen Cwm Prysor before returning along the abandoned railway trackbed. This walk will take approximately 2½ hours. Both walks will provide opportunities to view copies of work produced by these artists and share views about the landscape that inspired them.

The walks are open to all with a suggested donation of £5 or, for members of the Society, a donation of £3. To make a booking please contact info@snowdonia-society.org.uk

The walk is being organised and led by Gareth Roberts. Trained as an art historian, geographer and planner, Gareth has worked with the Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Countryside Council for Wales. He is a Director of the Landscape Research Group Ltd. and supports the work of charitable organisations involved in the conservation and enhancement of cultural landscapes internationally.